MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'alternative therapies'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:20:47 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107522&cid=t_122990_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fconsumer-reports-promotes-alternative-medicine-with-questionable-research%2F2011.08.07 Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve intermittently read Consumer Reports, relying on it for guidance in all manner of purchase decisions. CR has been known for rigorous testing of all manner of consumer products and the rating of various services, arriving at its rankings through a systematic testing method that, while not necessarily bulletproof, has been far more organized and consistent than most other ranking systems. True, I haven’t always agreed with CR’s rankings of products and services about which I know a lot, but at the very least CR has often made me think about how much of my assessments are based on objective measures and how much on subjective measures. Until now. I just saw something yesterday on the CR website that has made me wonder just how scientific CR’s testing ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107522 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 18:00:43 +0100 5107522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734432&cid=t_122990_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FCQ8IXUUvbqU%2F Last week, I wrote that I didn’t really know what Reiki was (“It sounds like gardening to me“).  Afterward, I thought that statement might be a bit unfair, seeing as how Reiki has been receiving a lot of media hype lately as an alternative path to healing. Which got me to thinking: maybe I should give Reiki a whirl. I’m open minded and willing to try anything, so why not discover for myself what this practice is all about? In my research, I came across an article in Alternative Therapies magazine, written by Ph.D Gala True, in which she defines Reiki as: “A vibrational, or subtle energy, therapy most commonly facilitated by light touch, which is believed to balance the bio-field and strengthen the body’s ability to heal itself.  Although systematic stu... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734432 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:29:37 +0100 4734432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405957&cid=t_122990_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FLIutwp9L_3k%2F I’ve had such positive health experiences with acupuncture over the years, that it makes me sad when I hear people dismiss the idea that this ancient Chinese practice actually has powerful healing properties. After all, you skeptics, Eastern medicine has been around a lot longer than Western medicine. (And I’ve been able to manage my genetic skin disease called Hailey-Hailey, thanks in large part to regular acupuncture treatments.) So I asked my acupuncturist, Anne Mok, Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and co-owner of Cornerstone Healing in New York City, to debunk these ten common myths about acupuncture and your health: 1. The needles are so damn long! Actually, acupuncture needles have different thicknesses and lengths. Most needles are inserted into the skin less... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405957 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:32:44 +0100 4405957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4314119&cid=t_122990_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Frenegadeneurologist.com%2Fherbal-therapy-for-allergic-rhinitis%2F Warning: preg_match_all() [function.preg-match-all]: Compilation failed: unrecognized character after (? or (?- at offset 2 in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 30 Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/perlren/public_html/wp-content/plugins/abd-clickable-links.php on line 50 FromScience Daily For the 20 percent of Americans who suffer from hay fever, an herbal supplement may be a welcome treatment alternative, says a new study. Butterbur, a plant found in Europe, Asia and in parts of North American, has been used for centuries as an herbal treatment. Only recently, however, have scientists begun to find that it may truly have a place alongside more traditional treatments for asthma and migraines. The most recent findings show ... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314119 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:10:45 +0100 4314119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3071226&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_psychological_benefits_2_and_4_weeks_after_a_sing.htm Conclusions: This small feasibility study suggests that NIR-PBM may have utility for the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders and that double blind randomized placebo-controlled trials are indicated. Source | Full text () Open Access (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3071226 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:06:00 +0100 3071226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044820&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fpets_have_therapeutic_benefits.htm Bethany Carland-Adams - Wiley-Blackwell A pet owner knows the enormous joy and comfort that an animal can provide, especially in troubled times. Most pets are considered important members of the family and irreplaceable companions. A growing body of research now documents the value of the human-animal bond in child development, elderly care, mental illness, physical impairment, dementia, abuse and trauma recovery, and the rehabilitation of incarcerated youth and adults. In two articles in a recent issue of Family Process - one focused on the benefits of companion animals and the second on their role in couple and family dynamics and family therapy) - Dr Froma Walsh, a Moses & Sylvia Firestone Professor Emerita at the University of Chicago and Co-Director of the Chicago Center for Famil... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044820 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:31:00 +0100 3044820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3008166&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fatrisk_college_students_reduce_hbp_anxiety_depression_thr.htm Ken Chawkin Maharishi University of Management The Transcendental Meditation® technique may be an effective method to reduce blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and anger among at-risk college students, according to a new study to be published in the American Journal of Hypertension. "The Transcendental Meditation Program, a widely-used standardized program to reduce stress, showed significant decreases in blood pressure and improved mental health in young adults at risk for hypertension," said David Haaga, PhD, co-author of the study and professor of psychology at American University in Washington, D.C. The study was conducted at American University with 298 university students randomly allocated to either the Transcendental Meditation technique or wait-list control over a three-mont... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3008166 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:05:00 +0100 3008166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999687&cid=t_122990_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.renegadeneurologist.com%2Fan-economy-in-need-of-hoistic-medicine%2F From NYTimes.com: The American economy is having what doctors call an acute episode. Employment won’t throb. The circulation of capital remains weak. Industry is breathing, but barely. And if we can agree on anything one year into this mess, it is that there is little we can do when the patient arrives already this bad. That is why the talk now is so often of prevention. Prevent the next crisis through health insurance and a green-energy sector, the American president says. Prevent it by cutting spending and nurturing personal responsibility, American conservatives retort. But the truth is that politicians, and not just in the United States, are rarely willing to invest in a problem that hasn’t occurred. Consensus and action are easier to come by after a 9/11 or a Lehman Brothers than ... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999687 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:47:50 +0100 2999687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984861&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fdark_chocolate_may_ease_psychological_stress.htm This study was conducted by employees of, and funded by Nestlè Research Center, a division of chocolate maker Nestlè. Martin FP J, Rezzi S, Per-Trepat E, et al. Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects. J. Proteome Res. 2009 Nov;doi:10.1021/pr900607v   [Full text] (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984861 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:00:00 +0100 2984861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890711&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Ftranscendental_meditation_effective_at_reducing_breast_cance.htm Susan E. White - Resurrection Health Care Women with breast cancer reduced stress and improved their mental health and emotional well being through the Transcendental Meditation technique, according to a new study published in the current issue of the peer-reviewed Integrative Cancer Therapies. The study was a collaboration between the Center for Healthy Aging at Saint Joseph Hospital; the Institute for Health Services, Research and Policy Studies at Northwestern University; the Department of Psychology at Indiana State University; and the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management. "It is wonderful that physicians now have a range of interventions to use, including Transcendental Meditation, to benefit their patients with cancer," said Rhoda Pomera... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890711 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:42:00 +0100 2890711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709192&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_electroacupuncture_for_refractory_ocd.htm J Nerv Ment Dis. 2009 Aug;197(8):619-622 Electroacupuncture for Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Pilot Waitlist-Controlled Trial Zhang ZJ, Wang XY, Tan QR, Jin GX, Yao SM. A large proportion of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients are refractory to pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral therapy. The aim of this pilot, waitlist-controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) as add-on therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. Nineteen patients with treatment-resistant OCD were assigned to EA treatment for 12 sessions (5 sessions per week, n = 10) or waitlist for controls (n = 9) while continuing their current anti-OCD medications. The clinical outcomes were measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and the Clinical Global Impressi... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709192 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:52:00 +0100 2709192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2630170&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fstopping_to_smell_the_flowers_may_soothe_stress.htm Michael Woods - ACS Feeling stressed? Then try savoring the scent of lemon, mango, lavender, or other fragrant plants. Scientists in Japan are reporting the first scientific evidence that inhaling certain fragrances alter gene activity and blood chemistry in ways that can reduce stress levels. Their study appears in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. In the new study, Akio Nakamura and colleagues note that people have inhaled the scent of certain plants since ancient times to help reduce stress, fight inflammation and depression, and induce sleep. Aromatherapy, the use of fragrant plant oils to improve mood and health, has become a popular form of alternative medicine today. Linalool, an aromatic terpene alcohol found in many flowers and spices, is one of the most widely used ... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2630170 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:09:00 +0100 2630170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511060&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_a_multistage_chronobiologic_intervention_for_the_t.htm Conclusions: These initial findings showed the procedure to be effective and well tolerated. It affords many advantages, such as the achievement of a rapid response, no extinction of the therapeutic effect after 4 weeks of follow-up, safety, high patient compliance and cost effectiveness. These encouraging results warrant validation in further randomized controlled clinical trials. Source... Copyright © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511060 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:08:00 +0100 2511060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512007&cid=t_122990_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.renegadeneurologist.com%2Fzen-in-their-bedside-manner%2F From LATimes.com: Reporting from New York — It was 8 a.m., and the subject was death. A 55-year-old man was wasting away from lungcancer and cirrhosis. His weight was plummeting and his brain was swelling. But he was in denial, refusing to discuss hospice care or consider a “do not resuscitate” order. A bright pink vase filled with yellow mums sat near the window, belying the grim task facing the healthcare workers at Beth Israel Medical Center who had clustered around a conference table. “This has been really sad,” said the Rev. Robert Chodo Campbell, a large man with thick brows who was wearing what appeared to be a cross between a judo outfit and hospital scrubs. He told the group that when faced with a similar case in the past, he had decided to disclose his p... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512007 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:02:48 +0100 2512007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2463067&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Ftargeting_the_brain_with_sound_waves.htm Ultrasound might provide a new, noninvasive way to control brain activity. By Emily Singer Ultrasound waves, currently used in medicine for prenatal scans and other diagnostic purposes, could one day be used as a noninvasive way to control brain activity. Over the past two years, scientists have begun experimenting with low-frequency, low-intensity ultrasound that can penetrate the skull and activate or silence brain cells. Researchers hope that the technology could provide an alternative to more-invasive techniques, such as deep-brain stimulation (DBS) and vagus nerve stimulation, which are used to treat a growing number of neurological disorders. More... © 2009 Technology Review, Inc. All rights reserved (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2463067 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:27:00 +0100 2463067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452669&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_nonwestern_therapies_for_affective_disorders_in.htm CONCLUSION: Some non-Western concepts and treatment modalities have been meticulously and rigorously developed through trial and error, though the evidence for their efficacy and efficiency is not necessarily according to current Western standards. The consistent epidemiological demonstrations of the demand for CAM among patients suffering from mental disorders call for an open-minded, unbiased assessment of efficacy of non-Western treatment modalities for specific clusters of affective symptoms. Source + Full text... © 2009 CNS Spectrums a Publication of MBL Communications (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452669 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:49:00 +0100 2452669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405375&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Frole_of_acupuncture_in_the_treatment_of_depression.htm Psychiatric Times 2009 May;26(6) Benefits and limitations of adjunctive treatment and monotherapy Jalynytchev P, Jalynytchev V. South Natick Wellness Clinic, Natick, Mass.; Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Mass. Acupuncture is being integrated into Western medicine, particularly for treatment of pain, nausea, asthma, and neurological conditions. Although the exact mechanism of action for acupuncture is unknown, it is associated with an increase in the level of neurobiologically active substances, such as endorphins and enkephalins. There are also data indicating that acupuncture induces the release of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.More... © 1996 - 2009 CMPMedica LLC, a United Business Media company (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405375 Wed, 13 May 2009 08:02:00 +0100 2405375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376191&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fusing_soundtrack_of_the_brain_to_sharpen_reflexes_calm_nerv.htm John Verrico US Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology Every brain has a soundtrack. Its tempo and tone will vary, depending on mood, frame of mind, and other features of the brain itself. When that soundtrack is recorded and played back — to an emergency responder, or a firefighter — it may sharpen their reflexes during a crisis, and calm their nerves afterward. Over the past decade, the influence of music on cognitive development, learning, and emotional well-being has emerged as a hot field of scientific study. To explore music's potential relevance to emergency response, the Dept of Homeland Security's Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) has begun a study into a form of neurotraining called "Brain Music" [aka 'EEG-acoustic feedback', 'bioacoustic ... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376191 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:51:00 +0100 2376191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348461&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Feast_meets_west_integrating_crosscultural_treatments_for_p.htm Allison Rubin The Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights (BCRHHR) at Boston Medical Center recently treated many of the large number of Tibetan refugee monks who fled violent religious persecution. These individuals arrived in Boston suffering from symptoms of traumatic stress, interfering with their meditative practice. The monks were diagnosed by their traditional healers as having srog-rLung (pronounced sok loong), a life-wind imbalance. Recognizing that barriers exist between western and eastern medicine, the BCRHHR researched and implemented its own complementary therapy options to heal them. The findings will appear in an upcoming issue of Mental Health, Religion and Culture. According to Tibetan medicine, a srog-rLung disturbance has the potential to develop into a seriou... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348461 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:09:00 +0100 2348461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2313438&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Flavender_takes_edge_off_horror_movies.htm Taking a deep sniff of lavender before you settle down for a horror film might stop you getting so scared - but only if you are a woman, a study has found. More... BBC © MMIX (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2313438 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:06:00 +0100 2313438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2259414&cid=t_122990_122_f&fid=35056&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.renegadeneurologist.com%2Fnew-lab-evidence-suggests-preventive-effect-of-herbal-supplement-in-prostate-cancer%2F From sciencedaily.com DHEA is a natural circulating hormone and the body’s production of it decreases with age. Men take DHEA as an over-the-counter supplement because it has been suggested that DHEA can reverse aging or have anabolic effects since it can be metabolized in the body to androgens. Increased consumption of dietary isoflavones is associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer. Red clover (Trifolium pretense) is one source of isoflavones. Both supplements may have hormonal effects in the prostate and little is known about the safety of these supplements. In a recent report in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, researchers report that DHEA levels can be manipulated in cells in the laboratory to understand its effect... Renegade Neurologist - A Blog by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2259414 Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:10:12 +0100 2259414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2216974&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Femotional_benefits_from_yoga_for_women_with_breast_cancer.htm Study finds effects include improved mood and reduced fatigueWomen undertaking a ten week program of 75 minute Restorative Yoga classes gained positive differences in aspects of mental health such as depression, positive emotions, and spirituality (feeling calm/peaceful) compared to the control group. The study, published today in a special issue of Psycho-Oncology focusing on physical activity, shows the women had a 50 percent reduction in depression and a 12 percent increase in feelings of peace and meaning after the yoga sessions. Restorative Yoga is a gentle type of yoga which is similar to other types of yoga classes, moving the spine in all directions but in a more passive and gentle way. Props such as cushions, bolsters, and blankets provide complete physical support for total relax... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2216974 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:25:00 +0100 2216974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2138063&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_vaccination_as_a_novel_approach_for_treating_depre.htm Conclusions: The results of this study introduce a novel approach of immunization with CNS-related antigens as a therapeutic means for fighting depression. Vaccination, as an antidepressant therapy, may invoke several molecular and cellular pathways that are known to be regulated by antidepressant drugs. Therefore, we suggest that immune-based therapies should be considered for treatment of depression. Source... © 2009 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2138063 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 07:12:00 +0100 2138063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1927897&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fultrasound_may_find_a_place_in_psychiatry_toolbox.htm In a twist on non traditional uses of ultrasound, a group of neuroscientists at Arizona State University (ASU) has developed pulsed ultrasound techniques that can remotely stimulate brain circuit activity. Their findings, published in the Oct. 29 issue of the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) One, provide insights into how low-power ultrasound can be harnessed for the non invasive neurostimulation of brain circuits and offers the potential for new treatments of brain disorders and disease. While it might be hard to imagine the day where doctors could treat post traumatic stress disorders, traumatic brain injury and even Alzheimer's disease with the flip of a switch, most of us have in fact experienced some of ultrasound's numerous applications in our daily lives. For example, ultras... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1927897 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:39:00 +0100 1927897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1927900&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_effects_of_transcendental_meditation_on_mental_he.htm Conclusion: Transcendental Meditation may improve mental health of young adult population especially in the areas of somatisation and anxiety, and this effect seems to be independent of age, sex and marital status. Source...     Full text... () (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1927900 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:06:00 +0100 1927900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1856388&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fmusic_may_sooth_anxiety_depression_and_stress_in_pregnancy.htm Music therapy can reduce psychological stress among pregnant women, according to research just published in a special complementary and alternative therapy medicine issue of the UK-based Journal of Clinical Nursing. Researchers from the College of Nursing at Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, randomly assigned 116 pregnant women to a music group and 120 to a control group. "The music group showed significant reductions in stress, anxiety and depression after just two weeks, using three established measurement scales," says Professor Chung-Hey Chen, who is now based at the National Cheng Kung University. "In comparison, the control group showed a much smaller reduction in stress, while their anxiety and depression scores showed little or no improvement. "Women in the music group also exp... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1856388 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:50:00 +0100 1856388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1791721&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Flavender_scent_calms_dental_fears.htm In this study, researchers investigated the effects of lavender scent on dental anxiety. The dental anxiety levels of 340 adult patients were measured while they waited for a scheduled dental appointment. Some patients were exposed to a lavender scent while others were not. Patients who were exposed to the scent reported feeling less anxious than the control group. This significant effect was present regardless of the type of dental appointment (e.g. routine check up, drilling). However, the exposure to lavender had no effect on the patients' anxiety regarding future dental procedures. "Our findings suggest that lavender could certainly be used as an effective 'on-the-spot' anxiety reduction in dentists' waiting rooms," Kritsidima concludes. Kritsidima M, Asimakopoulou KG, Newton JT. The i... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1791721 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:10:00 +0100 1791721 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734230&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Felephant_therapy_to_treat_depression.htm APINYA WIPATAYOTIN Researchers from Chiang Mai University (CMU) have a new means of fighting phobias and depression _ elephants. CMU had previously studied the effects of ''elephant therapy'' on autistic children and, having noted promising results, are now proposing a similar programme for people suffering from depression or phobias. Audomsark Haesungcharern, dean of CMU's associated medical sciences faculty, believes the animals' voice may have therapeutic qualities. More... © Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 1996-2008 (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734230 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:33:00 +0100 1734230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1726562&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_evaluation_of_the_effectiveness_of_crenotherapy_in.htm Sante Publique. 2008 Mar-Apr;20(2):105-12. Evaluation of the effectiveness of crenotherapy in treating generalized anxiety disorder Salamon R, Christine G, Olié JP, Dubois O. INSERM U 593, 146, rue Leo-Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France. [Article in French] In preliminary studies, crenotherapy has emerged as a possible effective treatment for general anxiety disorder. We have compared crenotherapy to Paroxetine [Paxil®] in a randomized multicentric control trial for a period of 8 weeks. 237 patients who met the diagnosis criteria of generalized anxiety disorder (DSM-IV) were recruited, 117 patients were randomly assigned to Crenotherapy and 120 to Paroxetine. Evaluation of effectiveness was assessed using the scoring system according to the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1726562 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 08:06:00 +0100 1726562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1723630&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract__selfhelp_interventions_for_depressive_disorders.htm Conclusions: A number of self-help interventions have promising evidence for reducing subthreshold depressive symptoms. Other forms of evidence such as expert consensus may be more appropriate for interventions that are not feasible to evaluate in randomised controlled trials. There needs to be evaluation of whether promotion to the public of effective self-help strategies for subthreshold depressive symptoms could delay or prevent onset of depressive illness, reduce functional impairment, and prevent progression to other undesirable outcomes such as harmful use of substances. Source...Full text...   () © 1999-2008 BioMed Central LtdCaution:  Some Over-The-Counter (OTC) supplements may interact with prescription medications or be affected by them. Check with your doctor or p... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1723630 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:40:00 +0100 1723630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1512314&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fneedles_help_ease_pain_of_depression_study.htm Acupuncture appears to help lift the mood of severely depressed people, a study of Australians suggests. New research in Sydney has found a marked improvement in a group of people with medicated depression who were treated with traditional Chinese needle therapy for two months. More... © 2008 AAP (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1512314 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:15:00 +0100 1512314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1458837&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fincense_not_only_good_for_the_soul_but_anxiety_amp_depres.htm This study also provides a biological explanation for millennia-old spiritual practices that have persisted across time, distance, culture, language, and religion-burning incense really does make you feel warm and tingly all over!" Moussaieff A, Rimmerman N, Bregman T, et al. Incensole acetate, an incense component, elicits psychoactivity by activating TRPV3 channels in the brain. FASEB J. 2008 May 20;doi: 10.1096/fj.07-101865   [Abstract] (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1458837 Wed, 21 May 2008 09:03:00 +0100 1458837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1439995&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fsystematic_reviews_of_clinical_trials_of_acupuncture_as_trea.htm Psychiatry Weekly 2008 May 12;3(18) Uriel Halbreich, MD Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is very popular in the United States, Canada and other Western societies, and the number of patients seeking treatment by CAM practitioners is increasing. This trend also affects treatment-seeking patients with affective disorders. Many patients and mental health providers update their information and formulate opinions and decisions based on second-hand digested summaries and scientific reviews of the literature. This results in the proliferation of review articles and journals that are exclusively dedicated to reviews. Since most medical schools do not teach CAM and most continuing medical education programs still ignore these subjects, it is of interest to examine the reliability of revi... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1439995 Tue, 13 May 2008 08:04:00 +0100 1439995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1358615&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fgad_anxiety_symptoms_reduced_by_cranial_stimulation.htm MedWire News: Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) appears to reduce symptoms of anxiety in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), say US scientists. CES has been used for many years to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia in the general population. However, its role in the treatment of GAD has not been examined, explain Alexander Bystritsky and colleagues from the University of California at Los Angeles. More... © AstraZeneca 2008 (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1358615 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:32:00 +0100 1358615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1248986&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fa_traditional_therapy_finds_modern_uses.htm Long part of traditional Chinese medicine, "auricular therapy," as it is called, entails stimulating key points of the outer ear (corresponding to body parts and functions) with seeds or needles as in traditional acupuncture. The practice is now increasingly being used nationwide to treat an array of ailments. Ear seeds have long been used stateside for addiction treatment. But today, with the growing demand for alternative therapies, there has been an increase in the practice of using ear seeds (or their metallurgic equivalents, acubeads and ear magnets) for health issues from anxiety to pain to insomnia. "They are used for people in situations of trauma, for example in the aftermaths of 9/11, Katrina, the California wildfires," said Cynthia Neipris, an acupuncturist in New York and the d... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1248986 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:11:00 +0100 1248986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1216571&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_adverse_drug_interactions_involving_common_prescri.htm Conclusions: Considering the widespread use of analgesic agents, the overall incidence of serious drug-drug interactions involving these agents has been relatively low. The most serious interactions usually involved other interacting drugs with low therapeutic indices or chronic and/or high-dose use of an analgesic and the interacting drug. (Text has been reformatted for clarity; Highlight added ed.) Source... (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1216571 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:10:00 +0100 1216571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1139835&cid=t_122990_87_f&fid=35062&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffibroresearch.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Feffects-of-yoga-and-tui-na-on.html A study conducted by the Pulmonary Division at University of São Paulo (Brazil) intended to verify whether techniques of yoga with and without the addition of traditional Chinese medicine modality Tui Na would "improve pain and the negative impact of fibromyalgia on patients' daily life." The results are published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine [2007 Dec; 13(10):1107-14].Forty women with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to two groups. One group participated in Relaxing Yoga (RY) and the other received Relaxing Yoga plus Touch (RYT), for "eight weekly sessions of stretching, breathing, and relaxing yogic techniques." RYT patients also received manipulative techniques of Tui Na, an ancient hands-on Chinese technique that uses acupressure to bring the body into b... The Fibromyalgia Research Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1139835 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:19:00 +0100 1139835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1112717&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fscotland_finding_out_if_healing_power_all_in_the_mind.htm SCIENTISTS in Edinburgh are seeking volunteers for the first in-depth study into the phenomenon of "remote healing". Healers claim they can use the method to cure sufferers of ailments simply by touching a photo of the patient. More... ©2007 Johnston Press Digital Publishing. All rights reserved (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1112717 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 07:23:00 +0100 1112717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=831091&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fnearly_half_of_german_psychiatric_patients_use_unconventiona.htm MedWire News: Almost half of psychiatric patients in Germany use alternative therapy, with a quarter believing in its efficacy, say German scientists, who also found that folk medical practices are more commonly used by people if they have a traditional background. Unconventional medicine is widely used in almost every culture, often in parallel with professional healthcare, explain Hans-Joerg Assion and colleagues from Ruhr-University Bochum. More... ©Current Medicine Group Ltd (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=831091 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 08:21:00 +0100 831091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=645189&cid=t_122990_87_f&fid=35062&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffibroresearch.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Feffects-of-mud-bath-treatment-on.html In Rheumatol Int. (2007 May 23), an article written by researchers at the Rheumatology Unit of the Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunogical Sciences at University of Siena, Italy, discusses the results of their clinical trial for mud bath therapy as a treatment for fibromyalgia.They performed a randomized clinical trial to "evaluate the effects and the tolerability of mud-bath treatment in [fibromyalgia] patients, who are poor responders to pharmacological therapy." Subjects included eighty patients with primary fibromyalgia diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology criteria. These patients were randomly divided into two groups - Forty patients received a cycle of 12 mud packs and thermal baths, and 40 were controls.Patients were evaluated by multiple evaluation tools ... The Fibromyalgia Research Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=645189 Tue, 29 May 2007 17:27:00 +0100 645189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651910&cid=t_122990_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fyoga_elevates_brain_gaba_levels_reduces_anxiety_and_depress.htm This study contributes to the understanding of how the GABA system is affected by both pharmacologic and behavioral interventions and will help to guide the development of new treatments for low GABA states," said co-author Domenic Ciraulo, MD, professor and chairman of the department of psychiatry at BUSM. "The development of an inexpensive, widely available intervention such as yoga that has no side effects but is effective in alleviating the symptoms of disorders associated with low GABA levels has clear public health advantage," added senior author Perry Renshaw, MD, PhD, director of the Brain Imaging Center at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital. This study was supported in part by grants from the national Institute of Drug Abuse; the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism;... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651910 Tue, 29 May 2007 07:57:00 +0100 651910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=551532&cid=t_122990_87_f&fid=35062&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffibroresearch.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fchondroitin-does-not-relieve-joint-pain.html A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine yesterday reveals that chondroitin does not relieve joint pain. Swiss researchers analyzed 20 studies dating back to 1970. The 20 clinical trials they studied included 3,846 patients. The researchers concluded that there is no evidence that chondroitin is unsafe, but also none to suggest that it helps reduce joint pain. (Source: The Fibromyalgia Research Blog) The Fibromyalgia Research Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=551532 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 20:06:00 +0100 551532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=486810&cid=t_122990_87_f&fid=35062&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffibroresearch.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fsupplemental-therapy-for-pain-relief.html Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas, TX) have discovered that a supplemental therapy that combines pain coping and biofeedback skills can reduce pain from temperomandibular disorder (TMD), a painful condition that disproportionately affects fibromyalgia sufferers.The therapy, called "early biopsychosocial intervention" teaches patients to self-manage pain and control stress-related bodily functions such as heart rate and tension. The trial included 20 men and 81 women, who were divided into two groups, one of which received standard care and one of which received standard care plus the new therapy.The six-week intervention teaches patients about the mind-body relationship, the body's reaction to stress and relaxation training in everyday settings. Instruction also is give... The Fibromyalgia Research Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=486810 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:48:00 +0100 486810